• Home phones are also known as land lines or domestic lines.wireless phone image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  Many consumers are choosing to "ditch the land line" and rely entirely on their cell phone service. There are pros and cons to this decision. Yes, you eliminate one of your monthly bills, but domestic phone service can be valuable if proper precautions are taken to protect the homeowner.
  
  

Benefits

• Home phones are important safety tools for families. Domestic phone lines provide 911 operators with the address of the dialing phone immediately and can ensure that the correct dispatcher is reached in case of emergency. Also, they are not hampered by a lack of reception or interference. Because of the digital nature of cell phones, there is less guarantee that calls made from such devices are secure. A land line is safer to use when making phone calls in which sensitive personal information, such as identity and banking data, may be provided.
  
  

Telemarketers

• Solicitors get home phone information from companies that sell that data. Using a certain set of precautions when giving out a home phone number will help to prevent these kinds of call. Do not provide home phone numbers in sweepstakes entries or to websites that do not have a strict privacy policy. Place domestic phone numbers on do-not-call lists, which prevent unsolicited calls.
  
  

White Pages

• When a domestic phone number is allowed to be listed in the white pages, a dangerous amount of personal information is released. The full first and last name and the home address are all listed. Personal identity can be protected better by listing a first initial, rather than a full first name. Often, by request, the address can also be removed. It is also important to have personal information removed from online sites that list phone numbers. This is especially important if the address can be linked to online maps, which could lead people directly to your home location. Those who have suffered domestic abuse, or who need their location to remain undisclosed for other reasons, should pay to have phone service that is fully unlisted.
  
  

Use Caution

• A stranger should never be allowed into a home to use the phone. Instead, individuals put in this position should offer to pass out a cordless phone or cell phone for individuals to make a call. This should be done without unfastening the security chain on the door.